Method and apparatus for creating an insulated barrier within a fireplace

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for creating an insulated barrier within a fireplace is described. A compressible insulator may be placed in a fireplace. Within the fireplace, the compressible insulator may be placed above a lintel on the inside of a firebox opening. The compressible insulator may also be placed below a damper. The compressible insulator may be used to insulate a fireplace and increase the temperature differential between the living space and air trapped between the compressible insulator and the damper. The trapped air may also increase the temperature differential between the living space and the chimney above the damper.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to energy conservation and insulation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating an insulated barrier within a fireplace.

BACKGROUND

Fireplaces are commonly found in homes, offices, and many other types of buildings. Fireplaces are architectural structures that are capable of containing a fire for heating a room or other area within a building. A fireplace includes a firebox and the firebox typically contains the fire and any material that is used to create the fire. The firebox is typically found on the interior of the building that contains the fireplace. A fireplace also typically includes a chimney or other flue that allows gas and other exhaust to escape the fireplace. The chimney or flue typically extends to the exterior of the building that contains the fireplace to allow the gas and other exhaust to escape to the outside of the building.

A fireplace also usually includes a damper. A damper is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside the fireplace. The damper may be used in the chimney of the fireplace to close off the chimney. The damper may also be partly closed to control the rate of combustion when a fire is occurring in the firebox. However, the damper is not designed to act as an insulator. The fireplace is directly connected to the exterior of the building, so naturally occurring drafts entering or exiting through the fireplace may allow conditioned air to escape through the chimney or may allow outside air to enter the room that contains the fireplace. Because the damper is not designed to act as an insulator and because no other features of a typical fireplace are designed to act as an insulator, there is a need for providing an insulator in a fireplace to prevent the naturally occurring drafts in a fireplace. There is also a need to create a greater temperature differential between the chimney or flue and the living space.

SUMMARY

A method and apparatus for creating an insulated barrier within a fireplace are described. A compressible insulator may be placed in a fireplace. Within the fireplace, the compressible insulator may be placed above a lintel on the inside of a firebox opening. The compressible insulator may also be placed below a damper. The compressible insulator may be used to insulate a fireplace and increase the temperature differential between the living space and air trapped between the compressible insulator and the damper. The trapped air may also increase the temperature differential between the living space and the chimney.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an example of a fireplace structure;

FIG. 2 shows an example cross-section view of a compressible insulator;

FIG. 3 shows another view of a compressible insulator;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method of installing a compressible insulator;

FIG. 5 shows an alternate view of a fireplace structure;

FIG. 6 shows an overhead view of a fireplace structure; and

FIG. 7 shows an example of a compressible insulator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The fireplace insulator described herein may be placed in a fireplace. The fireplace insulator may be a compressible insulator. The compressible insulator may insulate the fireplace and increase the temperature differential between the living space and the air trapped between the compressible insulator and a damper. The trapped air also creates a secondary layer of insulation to further increase the temperature differential between the living space and the chimney.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a fireplace structure 100. The fireplace structure 100 includes a chimney 104, a damper 106, a lintel 108, a compressible insulator 110, a smoke chamber 112, a firebox 114, a firebox opening 116, and a hearth 118. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other features, not shown, may be included the fireplace structure 100. However, these features are not shown in FIG. 1 for clarity.

In a typical fireplace structure 100 without a compressible insulator 110, air may escape from or enter through the chimney 104. Placing the compressible insulator 110 in the fireplace structure 100 may provide a variety of advantages, as will be explained in detail below. The compressible insulator 110 may be placed above the lintel 108 on the inside of the firebox opening 116. The lintel 108 may be a steel lintel. The compressible insulator 110 may also be placed below the damper 106. The damper 106 may be in a closed position when the compressible insulator 110 is placed below the damper 106. The compressible insulator 110 may create an insulated barrier within the fireplace structure 100. The insulated barrier provided by the compressible insulator 110 may increase the temperature differential between the living space in a room and the air trapped between the compressible insulator 110 and the damper 106. Further, the air trapped between the compressible insulator 110 and the damper 106 may also serve as an additional layer of insulation between the living space in a room and the chimney 104 or an exterior space. Thus, the compressible insulator 110 may increase the temperature differential between the living space in a room and the chimney 104 or area outside of the chimney 104. The temperature differential may be a result of both the insulation within the compressible insulator 110 as well as the insulation provided by the air trapped between the compressible insulator 110 and the damper 106. Accordingly, an advantage of the compressible insulator 110 described herein is two layers of insulation resulting from adding a single layer to the fireplace structure 100.

The compressible insulator 110, upon being installed, may provide sufficient lateral force against the sides of the interior of the firebox opening 116 to remain in place without any additional force or structures. Additionally, the compressible insulator 110 may seal off any gaps or imperfections within the firebox 114. The compressible insulator 110 may remain in any fixed position without the use of additional supports or adhesives. The compressible insulator 110 may be in the fixed position anywhere within the fireplace structure 100. The positioning and ability to remain fixed may be due to the structure, size, shape, and/or dimensions of the compressible insulator 110.

The compressible insulator 110 may also limit the amount of air drawn up and towards the chimney 104. In a typical fireplace structure 100, air may be drawn up and towards the chimney 104 due to a naturally occurring draft inherent in the design of the chimney 104. A downdraft may also be created based on differential pressures between the room in which the fireplace structure 100 is located and the outside climate. The inclusion of the compressible insulator 110 into the fireplace structure 100 may prevent the loss of air from within the room in which the fireplace structure 100 is located. The air within the room may be conditioned to a particular temperature, so retaining the conditioned air may be an additional advantage of using the compressible insulator 110. Further, retaining the conditioned air may increase the overall energy efficiency of the room or the building in which the fireplace structure 100 is located.

As explained above, the installed compressible insulator 110 may create a seal within the firebox 114. The installed compressible insulator 110 may not be visible from a viewing angle looking directly at the fireplace structure 100 from within the room in which the fireplace structure 100 is located. Thus, the compressible insulator 110 may also provide the additional advantage of aesthetic appeal.

FIG. 2 shows an example cross-section view 200 of the compressible insulator 110. The compressible insulator 110 may include a top sheet 204, a core layer 206, rivets 208, ribbons 210, handles 212, and/or a bottom sheet 214. The compressible insulator 110 may also include other features that are not shown in FIG. 2. The top sheet 204 may be positioned such that it faces the upper portion of the fireplace structure 100 and the chimney 104. The top sheet 204 may be any length or width. For example, the top sheet 204 may be between 3 mm and 10 mm thick. The top sheet 204 may be laminated to the core layer 206. The top sheet 204 may be composed of, for example, polyethylene or polyurethane. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the top sheet 204 may comprise any material capable of producing the desired properties described herein.

The core layer 206 may comprise compressible material. The core layer may be any length or width. For example, the core layer 206 may have a total thickness between 1 inch and 3 inches. The compressible material used for the core layer 206 may be, for example, polyethylene, polyethylene foam, polyurethane, or other materials with similar properties. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the core layer 206 may comprise any material capable of producing the desired properties described herein.

The bottom sheet 214 may be positioned such that it faces the lower portion of the fireplace structure 100 towards the firebox opening 116. The bottom sheet 214 may be any length or width. For example, the bottom sheet 214 may be between 3 mm and 10 mm thick. The bottom sheet 214 may be laminated to the core layer 206. The bottom sheet 214 may be composed of, for example, polyethylene or polyurethane. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the bottom sheet 214 may comprise any material capable of producing the desired properties described herein.

Handles 212 may be attached to the compressible insulator 110. For example, the handles 212 may be attached to the top sheet 204, the core layer 206, and/or the bottom sheet 214 of the compressible insulator 110. The handles 212 may be attached to the compressible insulator 110 by, for example, ribbons 210. The ribbons 210 may be nylon ribbons. The ribbons 210 may be threaded through the top sheet 204, the bottom sheet 214, and/or the core layer 206. The ribbons 210 may be inserted through the handles 212. The ribbons 210 may be attached using, for example, rivets 208. The rivets 208 may be, for example, plastic rivets. The handles 212 may comprise plastic. Alternatively or additionally, the handles 212 may be attached without ribbons 210 or rivets 208.

FIG. 3 shows another view 300 of the compressible insulator 110. The view 300 shows the top sheet 204 of the compressible insulator 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the compressible insulator 110 may be trapezoidal in shape. The rivets 208 may be placed on or fastened to the top sheet 204. The ribbon 210 may also be used on the top sheet to secure the handles 212. The location of the handles 212 is also shown in FIG. 3, although the handles may be located anywhere on the compressible insulator 110 and may not be located on the top sheet 204 of the compressible insulator 110. Based on the above description of FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that FIG. 3 may also show an example of the bottom sheet 214 of the compressible insulator 110.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method 400 for installing the compressible insulator 110. The firebox opening 114 just above the top of the lintel 108 may be measured 402. The firebox opening 114 may be a trapezoidal shape.

The measured dimensions may be used to properly size 404 the compressible insulator 110. The sizing may include, for example, adding ⅛ inch to the measured dimensions in each direction to size the compressible insulator 110. The compressible insulator 110 may be trimmed 406 to the desired dimensions. The damper 106 may be closed 408 before insertion of the compressible insulator 110. The compressible insulator 110 may be inserted 410 into the firebox 114. The compressible insulator 110 may be placed, for example, just above the lintel 108. The optional ⅛ inch added to the measured dimensions may allow the compressible insulator 110 to be held in place under the force of the compression. The compressible insulator 110 may block access to the chimney 104. Thus, the compressible insulator 110 may be removed via the handles 212 prior to opening the damper 106 to allow access to the chimney 104.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate view 500 of the fireplace structure 100. The alternate view 500 shows the firebox 114 as well as the lintel 108, the compressible insulator 110, the damper 106, and the smoke chamber 112. In this alternate view 500, some features of the fireplace structure 100 are not shown so as to provide an interior view of the lintel 108, the compressible insulator 110, the damper 106, and the smoke chamber 112 within the fireplace structure 100. A portion of the front of the fireplace structure 100 is not shown in FIG. 5 to allow for a better appreciation of the relative locations of the lintel 108, the compressible insulator 110, the damper 106, and the smoke chamber 112 within the fireplace structure 100. The compressible insulator 110 is shown above the lintel 108. The compressible insulator 110 may not be visible from a viewing angle facing the firebox 114. The damper 106 is shown above the compressible insulator 110. The smoke chamber 112 is shown above the damper. An air space or trapped air may exist between the compressible insulator 110 and the damper 106. As explained in detail above, the compressible insulator 110 may provide a first layer of insulation and the air trapped between the compressible insulator 110 and the damper 106 may provide a second layer of insulation.

FIG. 6 shows an overhead view 600 of the fireplace structure 100. The firebox 114 is shown as a trapezoid in FIG. 6. A firebrick layer 602 may surround a portion of the firebox 114. A space 604 may be located on the outside of the firebrick layer 602. The hearth 118 is also shown. Although features of the fireplace structure 100 are shown in a particular order and with particular shapes for exemplary purposes, the features of the fireplace structure 100 may be in any order or layout and may be of any shape or size.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the compressible insulator 110. The compressible insulator 110 shown in FIG. 7 is a trapezoidal shape. The compressible insulator 110 shown is for exemplary purposes only and one skilled in the art will recognize that the compressible insulator 110 may be any shape that would fit within a fireplace structure 100. FIG. 7 also shows a dotted line 702 within the compressible insulator 110. As explained in detail above, the inside dimension of the firebox 114 may be measured to fit the compressible insulator 110. The compressible insulator 110 may be sized to include, for example, an additional ⅛ inch in each direction in addition to the measured dimensions of the firebox 114. Thus, the dotted line 702 may represent the actual dimensions of the inside of the firebox 114. The area between the dotted line 702 and the outside of the compressible insulator 110 shows the optionally added dimensions (for example, ⅛ inch) that may be added to the compressible insulator 110. The ⅛ inch shown in this example is for exemplary purposes only and one skilled in the art will recognize that any additional dimension may be added to the measured dimensions, or that no additional dimension may be added, before installing the compressible insulator.

Table 1 shows the results of testing performed with the use of the compressible insulator 110 in the fireplace structure 100. Table 1 includes the date, the outside temperature, the living space temperature, the temperature of the air space between the compressible insulator 110 and the damper 106, and the temperature in the chimney 104 above the damper 106. The daily maximum temperature and the daily minimum temperature are shown for each of the temperature measurements described above.

TABLE 1 Compressible Insulator Temperature Readings Air Space Chimney Daily Living Temperature Flue Max/ Outside Space Between Temperature Min Tem- Tem- Insulator above Date Temp. perature perature & Damper Damper Jan. 20, 2011 min 31 69.6 51 41.5 max 44.5 72.5 57 45.5 Jan. 21, 2011 min 29.3 69.2 54.6 41.9 max 45 73.5 60 46.5 Jan. 22, 2011 min 11.5 67.6 46 28.5 max 31 71 47 30.5 Jan. 23, 2011 min 6 63 37 20 max 44 72 51 36 Jan. 24, 2011 min 22.5 69 41 28.5 max 44 72.5 42 29.5 Jan. 25, 2011 min 21.5 63.5 40.5 27.5 max 43.5 70.5 44.5 34.5 Jan. 26, 2011 min 28 63.5 43.5 33.5 max 34.5 70.5 51.5 39 Jan. 27, 2011 min 29.5 64 50 38 max 35 70 49.5 38 Jan. 28, 2011 min 23.2 64.5 45.5 33.5 max 35 70.5 48.5 37.5 Jan. 29, 2011 min 24.5 63.5 46 33.5 max 36 71 52 39.5 Jan. 30, 2011 min 24 63.5 45 33 max 48.5 71.5 55 43.5 Jan. 31, 2011 min 12.5 63.5 45.5 29.5 max 53 72.5 48.5 40 Feb. 1, 2011 min 25 63 46 33.5 max 32 71.5 52 39.5 Feb. 2, 2011 min 27.5 64 47 35.5 max 38.5 72 57 44.5 Feb. 3, 2011 min 20 65.5 45.5 37 max 39.5 71 55.5 42.5 Feb. 4, 2011 min 14 63 43.5 28 max 40 69 53.5 39 Feb. 5, 2011 min 23 63.5 44 32 max 36.5 71 54 42.5 Feb. 6, 2011 min 32 69.5 56 46 max 54.5 72 58 49.5 Feb. 7, 2011 min 28.5 64 49 39 max 51.5 71.5 55 47 Feb. 8, 2011 min 21.5 69 58.5 42.5 max 41.5 72 61 48.5 Feb. 9, 2011 min 26.5 68.5 47 34.5 max 44.5 71.5 54 41 Feb. 10, 2011 min 23 66.5 47 34.5 max 45.5 73.5 55.5 43.5 Feb. 11, 2011 min 23.5 68.5 48 37 max 52.5 72 52 42.5 Feb. 12, 2011 min 16.5 63.5 43.5 29.5 max 46 70 57 45

The fireplace structure and the compressible insulator described herein are for exemplary purposes only. The sizes, shapes, and dimensions shown in the examples described above are also for exemplary purposes. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that fireplaces and compressible insulators may come in various sizes and shapes and the descriptions of the compressible insulator described herein may be applied to a fireplace of any size or shape. Further, the compressible insulator described herein may be used in any product or structure to prevent a draft and increase temperature differential, and is not limited for use only in a fireplace. The use in a fireplace explained herein is for exemplary purposes only.

Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with the other features and elements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An insulator configured to be removably inserted in a fireplace having a chimney, a damper, and a firebox including a firebox opening, the insulator comprising: a core layer comprising a compressible material; and at least one other layer; wherein the insulator is located below the damper, forming an air space between the insulator and the damper, the air space providing an additional layer of insulation between the chimney and the firebox; and wherein the insulator provides a lateral force against one or more sides of the firebox opening, the lateral force sufficient to maintain the insulator in a fixed position.
 2. The insulator of claim 1, wherein the fireplace structure further comprises a lintel and the insulator is located above the lintel and on the inside of the firebox opening.
 3. The insulator of claim 1, wherein the air space includes trapped air and the trapped air increases the temperature differential between the chimney and the firebox
 4. The insulator of claim 1, wherein the insulator is capable of providing a seal within the fireplace without the use of additional supports or adhesives.
 5. The insulator of claim 1, wherein the insulator comprises a material capable of preventing a draft between the chimney and the firebox.
 6. The insulator of claim 1, wherein the core layer has a thickness between 1 inch and 3 inches.
 7. The insulator of claim 1, wherein the compressible material of the core layer comprises polyethylene foam.
 8. The insulator of claim 1, wherein the at least one other layer includes at least one of a top sheet or a bottom sheet.
 9. The insulator of claim 8, wherein the at least one of a top sheet or a bottom sheet is laminated to the core layer of the insulator.
 10. The insulator of claim 9 wherein the at least one of a top sheet or a bottom sheet is between 3 millimeters and 10 millimeters thick.
 11. The insulator of claim 9, wherein the at least one of a top sheet or a bottom sheet comprises polyethylene.
 12. The insulator of claim 1, wherein the insulator further comprises at least one handle.
 13. The insulator of claim 12, wherein at least one handle is attached to the core layer or at least one other layer.
 14. The insulator of claim 12, wherein at least one handle is attached to the insulator by a ribbon and a rivet.
 15. The insulator of claim 1, wherein the insulator is a trapezoidal shape.
 16. The insulator of claim 15, wherein the insulator is ⅛ inch larger in each direction than a measured inside dimension of the firebox opening.
 17. The insulator of claim 15, wherein the insulator is not visible from a viewing angle within a room in which the fireplace is located. 